To get a job at Goldman-Sachs, JT Morgan, etc.

Career Opportunities & Internships Investment Banking
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<p>I'm a high school student and it was career day at my school.
I go to a private school and several prestigious and successful people came to tell us about their jobs, etc.</p>

<p>I was particularly interested in the Finance field. It seemed very exciting and has influenced me to make that my goal. </p>

<p>Many people are telling me different things. My gpa, ecs, etc. are technically good enough to go to a top 20 school for finance/economics. But, some people are telling me that majoring in finance/econ/business mngt. adminstiration are bad because they make you look narrow and as too much of a "business person." I don't understand what I need to major in to have a good chance of getting in to a company like Goldman Sachs, JT Morgan, Merril Lynch, etc.</p>

<p>What kind of educational/professional background do you need to have a good chance of getting into these kind of companies?</p>

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<p>“JP Morgan” not to be confused with “JT Marlin.” Also Merrill Lynch doesn’t really exist anymore, it is part of BoA.</p>

<p>The top firms, called BB (Bulge Bracket) firms are generally accepted as follows (in no particular order):
GS, MS, JPM, BoA-ML, Citi, CS, DB, UBS, Barcap</p>

<p>Anyway, if you are looking at the East Coast you want to go to a target, which is most of the top schools, these include:</p>

<p>Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, Dartmouth, Columbia, UPenn, Duke, Georgetown, NYU, Northwestern, UMichigan, UTexas and arguably UVA.
(This is not completely comprehensive but it’s pretty close, feel free to add on others).</p>

<p>Major isn’t terribly important, Finance or Economics will generally suffice to get you an interview if you have a good GPA.</p>

<p>If you can’t go to one of those schools, you will have a difficult time breaking in. It is possible, but you will need to have top grades and network successfully.</p>

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<p>Where you go matters more than what you major in, simply because of the recruiting presence at those aforementioned schools. Major in whatever you want, but it should probably be something challenging/quantitative. Economics/business/finance are all fine. Keep in mind, if you choose Mich, UVA, NYU, or any “lower target”, make sure you enter the business school. Banks hardly recruit outside the business programs at those schools. If you wind up at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, or another school without a business program, you will have access to recruiters regardless of your major. In that case, if you don’t choose economics, make sure to at least take a couple economics classes and join a couple clubs related to finance so you can show a demonstrated interest to recruiters.</p>

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<p>To get into those firms you should aim for a target school. The ones that get most recruiting are Harvard, Wharton, and Princeton. The vast majority of people who end up at these investment banks studied econ/finance or something similar, but it’s certainly not a requirement.</p>

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<p>ok…but by that same reasoning studying english/history/etc. will make you look like a “can’t do math person” and studying science/engineering will make you look like a “nerdy and antisocial person.” </p>

<p>Something like management is probably not a good idea, but finance and economics are pretty quantitative and respected majors.</p>

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<p>Goldman-Sachs? JT Morgan? Merril Lynch?</p>

<p>hahahaha</p>

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<p>well jeez aston that was very helpful</p>

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<p>I am acquainted with a Princeton graduate who majored in Applied Mathematics (I think!) as an undergrad, did not pursue a masters, and was employed by Goldman Sachs…not sure if that helps at all, sorry!</p>

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<p>don’t forget JT Marlin. They are top notch. I heard Vin Diesel and Ben Affleck are traders there.</p>

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<p>add Pierce & Pierce to your list please</p>

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<p>yea… Pierce&Pierce (Murders and Executions) ■■■■■</p>

<p>I’m going to Cornell. I’m planning on majoring in econ and/or math…would that be a good prep for wall street? Or should i go into applied econ and management? Also, Ithaca’s in the middle of nowhere so how would recruitment work while I’m at Cornell?</p>

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<p>Don’t worry squelchy–Ithaca is not in the middle of nowhere. The recruiters come to campus and fly you to NYC if they are interested in you. Yes, Ithaca has an airport w/ regular flights to NYC. </p>

<p>It even has some great restaurants where you might be wined and dined, if you have been offered an internship, before being flown to NYC. Just be sure to shine your shoes after getting out of the cornfields and make sure the plane doesn’t hit any cows on the runway!</p>

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<p>Has anybody heard of Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey, next to Manhattan? Specifically in terms of placing interns at GS, MS, JPM, and other BB firms, how does it rank among Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, Dartmouth, Columbia, UPenn, Duke, Georgetown, NYU, Northwestern, U Michigan, and U Texas?</p>

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<p>^It doesn’t.</p>

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<p>Please don’t post on such an old thread. Start a new one if you want discussion.</p>